News
-- Automobile Journalists Association of Canada awards Mazda3, CX-5, and CX-9 as best in their segment --
MONTREAL, Jan. 18, 2018 /CNW/ - Today at the Montreal International Auto Show media preview, Mazda Canada Inc. accepted three awards from the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) for winning their overall categories. The Mazda3 was awarded Best Small Car In Canada For 2018, while the CX-5 took the award for Best Small Utility Vehicle In Canada For 2018, and the CX-9 was named Best Large Utility Vehicle In Canada For 2018. These awards make the Mazda3 eligible to win the overall 2018 Canadian Car of the Year award, and the CX-5 and CX-9 are on the shortlist to win the Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year for 2018.
"The Canadian Car of the Year awards, presented by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada, are the most prestigious automotive awards in the country - and they're extremely hard to win. A vehicle really does have to be the very best in its category, and the competition grows tougher every year," said AJAC President, Mark Richardson. "It's a tremendous achievement for a manufacturer to win one AJAC award in any given year, but it's a remarkable achievement for Mazda Canada to win three in 2018."
While this is indeed quite a feat, Mazda is no stranger to the AJAC podium, being one of the winningest brands in the history of the AJAC Canadian Car of the Year awards. The Mazda3 has topped its category eight times prior to this win, which helps to highlight why it is Mazda's best-selling model not only in Canada, but worldwide. The current generation was introduced for the 2014 model year, showing the lasting appeal of its KODO design, as well as the effectiveness of SKYACTIV Technology that include two efficient gasoline engines, manual and automatic transmissions, sedan and hatchback bodies, and chassis of the Mazda3 lineup.
With a recent redesign, the CX-5 embodies everything Canadian consumers want in their everyday vehicle: award-winning interior design, best-in-class driving dynamics, and excellent fuel economy. For 2018, the CX-5 gets even better, introducing an updated 2.5L SKYACTIV-G engine with cylinder deactivation, the first of its kind in North America. This new engine has the ability to imperceptibly shut down two cylinders at cruising speeds, and is designed to assist in maximizing real-world fuel efficiency.
The CX-9 is Mazda's largest vehicle, with room for seven passengers, and is the flagship model in Mazda's crossover lineup. Featuring authentic materials within the award-winning cabin such as Nappa leather, and genuine rosewood and aluminum accents, the CX-9 Signature offers Canadian customers a premium experience, without the price tag that is usually associated with this level of sophistication and refinement. CX-9 is also the first Mazda model to employ the SKYACTIV-G 2.5T turbocharged engine which produces 310 lb-ft of torque at a low 2,000 RPM, making it one of the most responsive and rewarding 7-passenger crossovers to drive.
"We are very proud to accept these awards from Canada's automotive experts, the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada. The Mazda3, CX-5, and CX-9 clearly stand out in their respective segments, and each one represents a different, but unified take on the best that Mazda has to offer for the Canadian consumer," said Masaharu Kondo, President, Mazda Canada. "Each of these vehicles features Mazda's signature dynamic handling characteristics, head-turning looks, and a full suite of safety technology, all combined in a way that our competition can't beat."
The AJAC Canadian Car and Utility Vehicle of the Year awards program offers some of the most coveted automotive awards available on the Canadian automotive landscape, and represent the collective voice of Canada's top automotive experts. Vehicles are judged on a large variety of objective and subjective qualities, meaning there is no single factor that determines a win. Instead, the vehicle must represent an overall package of quality, value, comfort, fuel economy, and many other factors that are critical to the Canadian consumer.
About Mazda Canada Inc.
Mazda Canada Inc. is responsible for the sales and marketing, customer service and parts support of Mazda vehicles in Canada. Headquartered in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Mazda Canada has a nationwide network of 165 dealerships. For additional information visit Mazda Canada's media website at www.media.mazda.ca.
SOURCE Mazda Canada Inc.
